Kane shifts; the legs holding me between them flex with his movements. “No, Eddie. There isn’t some nefarious reason for me to want to keep my private life out of the media. Mia and I are friends. Because of the closeness we’ve had through years of friendship, the media chooses to make it seem like more in order to sell their garbage.”
I can tell Eddie wants to press him about Mia. Part of me wants him to, but I know if Kane won’t tell me everything yet, there is no way he’s going to tell Eddie. I just have to trust he will tell me when he’s ready. I’m starting to think that maybe they did have a relationship at one point that was more than just friends, but it just didn’t work. I could see why he wouldn’t want to tell me about it; Mia is a beautiful woman, and I’m pretty sure she would intimidate anyone if they were faced with a friendship and old flame.
“I can get the whole keeping your private life to yourself, but surely, you know that it would be much easier to shut up the lies if you and Willow were seen, and the relationship brought to light, I don’t know, denied the latest round of slander?”
“It’s not that easy, Eddie. Not when you’re dealing with people who will do whatever it takes to sell their shit. I do not intend to shield my relationship with Willow, not at all, but I also knew that building something with her was more important to me than trying to start that and have to fight off the media.”
“So? Does that mean now that you two are officially a couple, oozing love every second you’re around each other, and all kissy kissy, that you plan to take it public?” Eddie sighs, clearly exasperated, and waits for Kane’s response.
“I haven’t been keeping her or our relationship from going public. I just haven’t been going out of my way to catch their attention while we were filming. I also didn’t want to thrust that on her until she was ready to deal with that madness.”
“Eddie.” I interrupt Kane before he can continue to speak. “I know you’re trying to be all big and bad here, looking out for me and all, but please just drop it. I know Kane’s intentions are pure, and he’s right. I wouldn’t have handled it. A month ago, I wouldn’t have been ready if I had to deal with so much public influence. He and Mia are friends and have been since they were teens. It’s natural that the press would look at that as more, but Kane’s asked me to trust him and I do. I need you to do the same.”
Eddie has the decency to look slightly embarrassed before giving me a nod. “I’m sorry, Wills. I just worry about you.”
“And I love you for that, but I’m okay. Really and truly okay.”
He studies me, his handsome face letting me know just how anxious he’s been about my relationship with Kane.
“He loves me, Eddie. Loves me so fiercely that I don’t doubt it. I don’t need him to turn that into some media frenzy or public stunt. I know it’s as real as it comes. You don’t need to worry about me. Not anymore. I’m so happy I’m almost floating. Not just with my relationship with Kane or my life, in general, but I’m so happy in my own skin that I feel like the lightest person in the world.”
Kirby makes a choking noise that makes me think she’s about to start crying and reaches out to grab her glass, taking a long sip. I know she gets it, but she’s also witnessed me become the Willow I am today. Eddie hasn’t, so I understand his questions.
“Eddie,” I implore as I lean forward. Kane’s arms drop from where they had been resting on my torso and rest at my hips when I reach out for Eddie’s hands. “I’m ready to move on from my past, and I know you’re worried about me because of everything you had to watch me suffer through, but you have to stop. It’s taken me a while, but I’m free of that pain. I can see that I was trying to search for the feelings I felt lacking, but I didn’t realize I was the one who held the key to them. I’m strong. I stepped out of that comfort zone I was stuck in, and just like you said it would, my life began.”
His throat works, and his eyes mist. He works hard to control it, and I know if Kane weren’t here, Eddie would have probably cried some very ladylike theatrics.
“What time’s your flight tomorrow? Do we have time to fit some lunch in?” he asks, letting me know he’s about two seconds away from a very unmanly emotional breakdown with what I just told him. God, I love him. He and Kirby are the only family I ever needed; I know that now, and he just proved why a million times over.
“If we didn’t have to go to Logan tomorrow, we probably could,” Kane answers for me, and Eddie’s eyes jump from mine to Kane, over to Kirby, and then narrow back at me.
“Tell me you aren’t going there willingly. And without a bomb or something,” Eddie demands, his voice full of anger.
I feel Kane tense against my body, and I hate that I’m making him feel this way.
“I’ve already tried to talk her out of it, Eddie, but she isn’t having it,” Kirby snaps.